Shell offer "save up to one litre per tank" using their new fuel

Shell have responded to our questions on their new Fuel Save regular unleaded petrol they are advertising strongly and selling on their forecourts in the UK


See a full size copy of the Shell advert. More

See a copy of the webpage on the Shell website. More

See a copy of the questions raised in our email sent to Shell. More

Why are there concerns over biofuel in petrol for classic MG enthusiasts? More

What sort of savings are we talking of? More












More on the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation or RTFO mentioned in the response from Shell on 16.8.10. RTFO












Useful Shell information sheet on the storage of petrol of interest to members laying-up an MGV8 in the winter months. More




Updated 16.8.10
Posted: 9.8.10
Helpful response from Rob Holmes the Consumer Lubricants Technical Manager at Shell
As I had received no reply from Shell to my two emails by Monday afternoon 16th April, I telephoned the Shell Customer Service Centre at Wythenshawe near Manchester and got straight through to Rob Holmes who could not have been more helpful. It seemed the emails had gone to some overseas centre but Rob discussed the questions we had raised and a couple more too. We sent him a copy of the questions and within the hour he was back with the responses in green below.

Shell Efficiency Improver component
In its adverts Shell says this new additive formulation combined with the new Shell Efficiency Improver component works by lubricating where normal engine oils can't easily reach. This can help engine components to turn more freely, resulting in more of the fuel's energy being made available to drive the wheels. We raised two questions on the Efficiency Improver component:
Q1. What is the efficiency improver component in the Fuel Save fuel and how does it lubricate the engine - what is the formulation and what is the lubricating mechanism or action in helping the engine components to turn more freely?
Reply: I can't give you specific details on the formulation itself as this could potentially compromise our intellectual property. The basic principles of the product are based on an enhanced detergent package which keeps inlet valves cleaner and also an energy efficiency improving additive. The Efficiency Improver molecule is formulated to act as a surface coating to support smoother gliding of a piston against cylinder wall and reduce friction, thereby improving Fuel Economy.

Q2. From the extensive testing on cars you mention has been carried out, have you tested the Fuel Save fuel on older engines, for example on the Rover V8 engine, and if you have, were there any beneficial and/or adverse effects a classic car user should be aware of?
Reply: - As a principle we will not have tested the product on Classic cars as the vast majority were designed to run on leaded fuel, however if your vehicle has been running successful on our previous standard unleaded then there will be no issues in switching to Fuel Save unleaded. The base fuel and ethanol content are the same, and the only differences are in the Fuel Additive pack itself.

Q3. What is the ethanol content of the Shell Fuel Save regular fuel you advertise?
Reply: The British Standard for Gasoline Fuels allows up to 5% Ethanol. Due to the requirements of the RTFO (Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation) which requires us to aggregate 5% of biocomponent in our fuels, the level will be between 0% and 5% depending on the source and will vary. The 7% allowed in the British Standard for Diesel fuel does give a little room for manouvre overall, however all our Gasoline products will now contain some level of Ethanol. I would suggest it is always best to assume this level to be at the 'worst case scenario' of 5% where Classic cars are concerned.

Q4. What effects may result from a quantity of Fuel Save unleaded petrol standing unused in a fuel tank of a classic car over the winter months when a car is off the road? Does Fuel Save behave differently in that state to you previous unleaded and V-Power fuels?
Reply: There will be no differences in comparison to our previous standard unleaded petrol (and V-Power). I have attached our storage advice for your information. See the attachment

Q5. The current thinking amongst some classic car enthusiasts is that leaving a car during a winter lay-up period with a full tank of fuel is better than with only a small amount of fuel as it limits the amount of condensation that can form on the inside surface of the metal fuel tank. Have you any thoughts on which procedure - a full tank or low fuel level - would be better from that viewpoint?
Reply: Full tank approx 95% - see attachment referred to Q4.

Q6. I have heard there is an additive that can control some of the adverse effects that biofuel in petrol can have on classic car fuel systems, particularly those with SU carburettors, and am keen to hear news of that and whether a supplier is able to take up the role of distributing it.
Reply: There are non-alcohol based fuel stabilizers which can help. Using ethanol without protection may cause corrosion of some metals in the engine. It also may damage natural rubber and cork parts. Fuel Stabilizers (I believe Stabil do a product) contain additives to protect against rust and corrosion caused by ethanol fuel blends although I can't offer a view as to the success of the Stabil product itself as I have no experience of using it. If practical you can also Install a water separation filter and fuel filter, and replace fuel lines, gaskets or o-rings with new ethanol resistant materials.

Rob Holmes ends with "hope that answers your questions. My sincere apologies that you have had no response from our Customer Service Dept." How refreshing to get a helpful chap - I have replied thanking him for his helpful response both on the telephone and by email. (16.8.10)

Advert in the Times in early August that stimulated our questions

Shell are advertising their new Fuel Save unleaded fuel in the press and on television in the UK with the claim it can "save up to 1 litre per tank" at no extra cost! They claim it's "enriched with Shell Efficiency Improver". That's quite a claim so how does Shell Efficiency Improver work?
Well visiting their website they explain - "previous fuel economy formulations have been solely based on inlet system deposit control over extended mileage using detergent additives." This new additive "works by lubricating where normal engine oils can't easily reach. This can help engine components turn more freely, resulting in more of the fuel's energy being made available to drive the wheels."
Shell advert and website


Clearly there are some concerns for classic car enthusiasts. For example how does the Shell Efficiency Improver additive work and what effects might it have on older engines? There is also the usual question - "how much ethanol is there in this fuel" as we know biofuels in petrol can damage the carburettors and other fuel system components on classic MGs? On their webpage they mention they have made "over 400 individual fuel economy measurement tests" and "over 5,000 miles were driven in the series of on-road demonstrations have been carried out in a range of cars and engine types" by a third party testing centre. So we have sent Shell an email seeking replies to three questions. So far we have had no reply other than an automated acknowledgment.
See our questions
V8 Register - MG Car Club - the leading group for MG V8 enthusiasts at www.v8register.net